The Chinese Judiciary and Its Gendered Construction

Abstract

This chapter offers an empirically grounded description of the professional setting, in which women judges are situated. The first part of the chapter outlines the Chinese judicial system, the judiciary and the judicial practice. Next, it explores the cultural tradition, legal culture and political-legal climate in China, which affect the judicial process and judges working in it. Finally, it discusses the formation of the Chinese judiciary. The second part of the chapter presents empirical findings about women judges, their work and everyday concerns in judicial practices. This part seeks to explore who Chinese women judges are and what they do. The chapter supplements existing knowledge about the Chinese judicial system and practice, while contextualising the findings presented in the following chapters.